WEBVTT >> THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALLABOUT.♪ THE FIRST NOEL. ♪RICHARD: ABOUT TWO THOUSANDPEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE TRI-STATESHARED THE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYSEASON WITH A GOOD MEAL, GOODCOMPANY, AND ALL OF THE HOLIDAYTRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS AT THENORTHERN KENTUCKY CONVENTIONCENTER.♪ >> IN FIELDS AS THEY LAY. ♪RICHARD: THE 29TH ANNUAL DINNERWAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THESUPPORT OF OVER 400 VOLUNTEERSAND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ENSUREA JOYOUS CELEBRATION.>> WE WORKED WITH REMKE FORYEARS SO WITH MCHALE'S ANDBUSKIN BAKERY WE GET TURKEY, HAMPOTATOES, STUFFING, GREEN BEANSSO THEY COME IN AND THEY HAVE AGOOD MEAL.RICHARD: THE MEAL SERVED UP THEMAGIC OF CHRISTMAS INCLUDING AVISIT FROM THE JOLLY OLD ELFHIMSELF, MAKING SURE EVERY CHILDHAD A WRAPPED PRESENT TO TAKEHOME.>> IT'S VERY REWARDING TO SEETHE KIDS AND HOW THEY BEAM INTHE MORNING AND SEE SANTA OR GETA TOY THEY WOULDN'T GET THISYEAR.RICHARD: BUT PERHAPS MORE THAN ATOY OR A FULL STOMACH, THISDINNER CONNECTS MANY WITH SOCIALSERVICES AND OUTREACH, THAT MAYLAST FAR BEYOND THE SEASON.>> THESE ARE PEOPLE IN NEED ANDTHEY GET THINGS HERE THEY NEED, INCLUDING CLOTHING AND FOODAND SO ON,ITS A BIG DEAL TO THEMAND WE'RE PRIVILEGED REALLY.RICHARD: THAT PRIVLIDGE TOSERVE, MANY OF THESE LONG TIMEVOLUNTEERS SAY, FAR OUTWEIGHSTHE RECEIVING OF ANY GIFT.>> I LOVE IT.I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPENEVERY YEAR, BECAUSE I MEET A LOTOF PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULDNEVER OTHERWISE MEET.JUST A LOT OF FUN.IT'S MY LIFE.RICHARD: AND IN THE MIDST OFSTRANGERS BECOMING LIFELONGFRIENDS PERHAPS OVERFLOWS LIKEITS OWN CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.>> WHEN ALL YOUR FAMILY IS GONE,AND YOUR FRIENDS AND EVERYTHING,AND YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE LEFT, ITGETS YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE ANDKEEPS YOU FROM FEELING SORRY FORYOURSELF.I LOVE IT.

About 2,000 people from across the Tri-State shared the joy of the holiday season with a good meal, good company and all of the holiday traditions of Christmas at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

The 29th annual dinner was made possible with the support of more than 400 volunteers and community partners to ensure a joyous celebration.

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Chuck McHale and his staff at McHale Catering worked through the night preparing the main course and all the sides.

"We worked with Remke for years so with McHale's and Buskin Bakery, we get turkey, ham potatoes, stuffing, green beans ... so they come in and they have a good meal." McHale said.

The meal served up the magic of Christmas including a visit from the jolly old elf himself, making sure every child had a wrapped present to take home.

Tom Hall of the Sunday Morning Club helped Santa pass out toys to boys and girls.

"It's very rewarding to see the kids and how they beam in the morning and see Santa or get a toy they wouldn't get this year." Hall said.

In addition to a toy and a full stomach, this dinner connects many with social services and outreach that may last far beyond the season.

Pat Iasillo of Remke Markets said staffing the meal fills his holiday spirit.

"These are people in need and they get things here they need including clothing and food and so on. It’s a big deal to them and we're privileged really."

Long-time volunteer Nancy Dunaway said that privilege to serve makes this holiday season and this meal a special part of her holiday tradition.

"I love it. I can't wait for it to happen every year. 'Cause I meet a lot of people. People that you would never otherwise meet. Just a lot of fun. It's my life."